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Name: Jason Tuttle

Age: 46

Political party: Republican

Occupation: Broadband Director (retired), Lenoir City Utilities Board; U.S. Government Contractor

Office sought (District and seat, if applicable): Loudon County Commission, District 2, Seat A

First, talk a little about your background, whether that be within local government or in your professional career, and how it informs your ability to be a leader in your community.

I spent over 13 years in law enforcement and over a decade at LCUB, the last several as Director of Broadband — managing multi-million-dollar budgets, infrastructure projects, and public accountability. I hold a doctorate in business and served as a contractor in Iraq. I’ve worked inside government long enough to know how money gets spent, where waste hides, and what real leadership looks like. That experience isn’t theoretical — it’s the foundation of everything I’m running on.

What made you pursue this specific seat, or run for reelection in 2026? Why now?

Loudon County is growing fast, and the decisions being made right now will shape this community for decades. I’ve watched from the inside how local government can drift toward comfortable habits and financial commitments that look fine on paper but burden taxpayers quietly over time. I’m running because I have the background to recognize those patterns and the resolve to change them. This seat, this moment — it’s where that experience can actually do something.

What sets you apart from the candidates you’re currently running against, or makes you the best possible candidate for the seat you are pursuing?

I’ve managed public money. Not as a policy opinion — as a job. I built and directed a broadband division, managed capital projects, and was accountable to a board and to ratepayers. Most candidates talk about fiscal responsibility. I’ve practiced it professionally. Add to that law enforcement experience, a doctorate in business, and real-world government contracting — I’m not learning on the job. I’m ready on day one.

In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing the average Loudon County voter today, or the biggest issue facing your specific constituents?

Unchecked spending disguised as progress. Loudon County’s budget appears healthy on the surface, but grants, bonds, and debt instruments can make finances look better than they are while shifting real costs onto future taxpayers. The average resident has no easy way to see through that. My top priority is making county finances genuinely transparent — not just technically available, but understandable — so voters can hold their government accountable between elections, not just on election day.

What’s your opinion on government spending, maybe highlighted by sectors of county operations the Commission could be spending more or less money on?

My position is simple: No New Debt. The county should live within its means, prioritize operational efficiency before expanding programs, and conduct honest audits that go beyond clean numbers to examine actual value delivered. I’d push for zero-based budgeting principles — justify every dollar annually rather than assuming last year’s budget is the floor. Areas I’d scrutinize first: administrative overhead, deferred maintenance being funded through borrowing, and any program that has grown without measurable outcomes.

How do you plan to handle growth within this community, as Loudon County continues to see a spike in its population?

Growth is happening whether we plan for it or not — the question is who pays and who benefits. I support controlled, infrastructure-first growth: don’t approve development that outpaces our roads, utilities, and schools, and don’t let developers privatize the gains while taxpayers absorb the costs. I’d push for joint planning between the Commission and School Board so major growth decisions account for educational capacity from the start. Growth can be good — but only if it’s managed by people who understand what it actually costs.